Balikumbat Succession: Ngoketunjia SDO Under Pressure to Overturn Kingmakers Choice Of Fon Nyamsi III

- Want Fon Doh’s Step-Brother Imposed

By Tegha Otega

Kuela Valerie, Senior Divisional Officer, SDO for Ngoketunjia division has convened the population of Balikumbat village together at the Uphill/plateau palace of their Fon. In a move critics have not taken in fine-fettle, the SDO is already accused of trying to severe the succession lineage of Balikumbat village. The parley would be staged a few days after the traditional council/kwifon, presented their new fon to their subjects, last Sunday, September 16, 2012. HRH Doh Nyamsi Theophile III was presented as Fon Doh’s Gah Gwanyin III’s successor. Yet, the move, Chronicle gathered does not tie well with some of the elite, who allegedly prefer but the step-brother to the ‘missing’ Fon Doh.

On Friday September 21, 2012 therefore, excitement would be total, as to whether the Ngoketunjia SDO would want to impose the choice allegedly sponsored by a group of elite. Will the SDO maintain the succession lineage in Balikumbat or break from the old tradition? This has been the worry.

Some Balikumbat subjects, however hinted Chronicle last weekend that their SDO would have nothing to do to change the statuesque, following the enthronement of one of Fon Doh’s son; Doh Gah Gwanyin Theophile as Fon Doh Nyamsi III, succeeding his father. Chronicle was told that the new fon had within the last few days, undergone initiation by the kwifons. His public presentation last Sunday was thus seen as confirmation to the fact that he is the rightful successor of Fon Doh.

It is common knowledge within Balikumbat village that Fon Doh’s will had no doubts. Chronicle learnt that he had willed the throne to his son, the graduate from ENAM. Thus, with the kingmakers/kwifons having pulsated/respected the will, it thus becomes a non-event to create another scenario.

Fon Nyamsi was presented to the population last Sunday; he would be ratified by the administration on Friday, September 21, 2012 then the cry-die of Fon Doh would be slated. Balikumbat palace sourced however hinted Chronicle that though Fon Doh’s cry-die would be in November this year, it has to be actualized progressively.

It is expected that the new Balikumbat fon must lead his subjects for the cry-die of the Fon of Baligham first. Chronicle was also told that the Balikumbat people were supposed to have stormed Baligham earlier for the funeral of its fon who was ‘missing’ recently but delayed following a controversy; that until this is done before Fon Doh’s cry-die can effectively take place in Balikumbat.

Following the ‘missing’ of Fon Doh, the Balikumbat Development Organization BADO, held an extra-ordinary congress in Balikumbat a fortnight ago. A committee was set-up, headed by Hon Banmi Emmanuel, to prepare for the cry-die. At least 3 million FCFA was raised ahead of the cry-die initially slated for next November.

Given the weight of Fon Doh, his cry-die would be expected to pull a massive crowd, including a representative of the CPDM secretary general and the head of state. With his billings as a CPDM central committee member, former CPDM mayor and lone CPDM Member of Parliament, President Biya would be expected to dispatch an envoy, envelop and message to the Balikumbat people.

Apart from allegations that the Ngoketunjia SDO may be under pressure from some elite, to temper with the succession lineage, Chronicle gathered that the late Fon Doh had been at variance with the SDO. Conversely, he may not just take to the will of the late fon, but would want to see things in the way of his supporters. (Affair a suivre…)